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Nature of Juvenile Drug Abuse

The purpose of this paper is to provide a brief overview of the nature of drug abuse among juveniles, emphasizing the problem of drug abuse among juvenile delinquents in particular. The paper first describes the nature of the problem and then looks at causes. It also offers some solutions to the problem.

Juvenile Delinquency and Drug Abuse: The Nature of the Problem

Lundman (1-12) identifies juvenile delinquency as a behavior, rather than as a psychosocial phenomenon involving various characteristics, or traits of those labeled delinquents. Specifically, he states that juvenile delinquency can be defined as criminal or antisocial behavior engaged in by a minor and punishable by special laws that apply to juveniles.

Lundman (1-12) also points out that it is important to note the distinction between crime and delinquency. In all cases, crime consists of behavior that breaks criminal codes established by society through written law. However, while juvenile delinquents may certainly commit crimes, delinquency itself does not have to consist of a crime; rather, a youth can be said to be delinquent merely for breaking a "cultural law" or norm. Also, Lundman (1-12) points out that delinquency is specific and descriptive of age whereas crime is not.

The use and abuse of substances (alcohol and drugs) is very much associated with juvenile delinquency. In this regard, McClelland, Teplin and Abrahm (1-2) report that:

Of the approximately 2.4 million juvenile arrests each year, more than 203,000 are for drug charges... As of October 27, 1999, nearly 109,000 juvenile offenders were in custody in juvenile residential placement facilities; approximately 9,880 of these youth (9 percent) were held for drug charges... Many youth in the justice system have a substance use disorder..and many more regularly use illicit substances.

What makes the connection between juvenile delinquency and drug abuse a major social problem are its gra...

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Nature of Juvenile Drug Abuse. (1969, December 31). In LotsofEssays.com. Retrieved 06:10, March 28, 2024, from https://www.lotsofessays.com/viewpaper/1693799.html